Posts Tagged ‘Higher Ground’

“Let’s give them a Northern welcome,” says Higher Ground co-owner Kevin Statesir as he introduces Alabama Shakes to the stage of the South Burlington, Vermont nightclub, which is celebrating its 14th anniversary. Statesir marks the occasion at the end of the sold-out show by giving out free, limited-edition Alabama Shakes prints designed to look like vintage posters for a doo-wop dance party.

The young phenoms in Alabama Shakes – who added the “Alabama” to their name as an afterthought, to avoid confusion with other bands called the Shakes – are making their first appearance in the Green Mountain State. Just three years ago, singer/guitarist Brittany Howard and bassist Zac Cockrell were meeting after high school in their small town of Athens, Alabama, to write songs. Last year, the band signed a record deal with ATO to release their debut album, “Boys & Girls,” and they’ve since exploded, instantly selling out most of the dates on their recent East Coast tour.